Problem Solving
We seem to have a worse than usual rabbit problem this year. French beans, runner beans and more flowering plants than I care to mention have all been ruined by them. Veg patch is fenced all the way around, sufficiently we thought, haha! We have two French hounds, different breeds but both breeds used in France for hunting rabbits. Our youngest, a Petit Basset Griffon Vandeen has already caught a young rabbit and whilst this is one less rabbit eating our garden, we would prefer to drive the rabbits out humanely. I am a bit scared to let the dogs out in the garden now because I cannot deal with the potential carnage! We are surrounded by open farmland so appreciate we are at a major disadvantage but if anyone has any suggestions. Re-fencing the whole garden is not really an option - too big and too expensive. Any repellents? Many thanks.
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I'm sorry, the dog knows what he's doing - he's bred for it - I'd leave it to him.
The alternative is rabbit proof fencing, or getting someone expert in with nets and ferrets to deal with the warren - you'll have to speak to your your neighbouring farmer who may have a local contact who does this, and offer to pay for the work even if it's on his land, but it will need ongoing regular visits.
Repellents don't work.
P.S. I love Petit Basset Griffon Vendeens - just love them - super dogs
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Sevral of my cats are good rabbiters and they never dare come into the garden, though you see them in the fields around. Not seen any this year though, dead or alive - the last bout of myxi seems to have really knocked them back.
We have the same problem here, open farmland on all four sides and never had them in the garden before. Its just not possible to fence so have given up on certain plants and looking for ones they don't like.
loads of my flowers have been eaten to the ground, very disappointing but thats nature I suppose, my cat doesn't catch anything, he's scared of his own shadow, literally, the pheasants terrify him!
I try to net the veg but that just gets blown over, I have given up for next year, just runner beans, they didn't eat those or leeks and parsnips, they don't like herbs,
A whole tray of Gaillardia, coreopsis, pansy, all gone.
In my garden, rabbits tend to avoid anything with scented leaves, for example Salvias. I use upturned wire hanging baskets, which are very cheap, as covers for plants when they are small. By the time they fill the basket they are usually tough enough to withstand some nibbling. I've also got some wire mesh tunnel cloches (the stiff wire mesh that holds its shape) and I use those for rows of plants.
As for the rabbits themselves, I have four humane traps that I move around the garden as required. I won't say what happens to them after they get caught, but I do enjoy a nice rabbit pie!
Thanks everyone, yes it's nature and you don't live in the country if you don't want to interact with the wildlife but it does spoil the excitement of planting or trying to grow anything. Yes our PBGV is a sweetie and a 'character' 1 1/2 years old but bosses our 10 year old Basset Fauve around terribly. When she caught the rabbit she would not give it up and stayed out in the garden, under a hedge until well after dark. As far as repellents goes, I wondered if that would be the case Dovefromabove, and presumably you would have to reapply after rain. It seems two ways to go, learn to live with it or get someone to net them, surrounded by plenty of helpful farmers so it might be an option, although I would have to go out while they do it. Yes I do have a foot in both camps - fluffy bunnies and gardening - I can't help it!
Agree Jo47, a dog's breed instinct will always out, although i didn't think mine were bred to run around with pants or socks in their mouths!